AI Research Scientist (ML for Physical Systems)

About Phaidra

Phaidra is building the future of industrial automation.

The world today is filled with static, monolithic infrastructure. Factories, power plants, buildings, etc. operate the same they've operated for decades — because the controls programming is hard-coded. Thousands of lines of rules and heuristics that define how the machines interact with each other. The result of all this hard-coding is that facilities are frozen in time, unable to adapt to their environment while their performance slowly degrades.

Phaidra creates AI-powered control systems for the industrial sector, enabling industrial facilities to automatically learn and improve over time. Specifically:

• We use reinforcement learning algorithms to provide this intelligence, converting raw sensor data into high-value actions and decisions.
• We focus on industrial applications, which tend to be well-sensorized with measurable KPIs — perfect for reinforcement learning.
• We enable domain experts (our users) to configure the AI control systems (i.e. agents) without writing code. They define what they want their AI agents to do, and we do it for them.

Our team has a track record of applying AI to some of the toughest problems. From achieving superhuman performance with DeepMind's AlphaGo, to reducing the energy required to cool Google's Data Centers by 40%, we deeply understand AI and how to apply it in production for massive impact.

Phaidra’s ability to achieve its mission is determined by our ability to work together — as defined by our core values: Transparency, Collaboration, Operational Excellence, Ownership, and Empathy. We seek individuals who embody these values, as they are instrumental in ensuring our team consistently delivers excellence and fosters an engaging and supportive culture

Phaidra is based in the USA, but we are 100% remote with no physical office. We hire employees internationally with the help of our partner, OysterHR. Our team is currently located throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, and India.

Joining the Talent Pool

Please submit your resume/CV below. You may also submit a cover letter explaining what your ideal position is and how your skills would fit with the team!

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, there may be a delay in response from our hiring team. However, Phaidra is committed to ensuring every applicant receives a response, regardless of the outcome. We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining Phaidra and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Who You Are

Research Scientists at Phaidra lead our efforts in developing novel algorithmic architectures with the goal of bringing intelligent control systems to the industrial sector.

Having pioneered research in the world's leading academic and industrial labs as PhDs, post-docs, or professors, Research Scientists join Phaidra to work collaboratively within and across research fields.

You bring a rare combination of deep expertise in machine learning and a strong understanding of physical systems—particularly in areas such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and control systems. Your interdisciplinary background allows you to apply AI not only as a computational tool but as a principled framework to model, optimize, and control complex physical processes.

Drawing on expertise from a variety of disciplines including machine learning, reinforcement learning, optimization, and control theory, our Research Scientists are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and applying it to real-world industrial problems.

We are seeking a team member located within one of the following areas: UK (preferred), USA, or Canada.

• In the United States, we accept applicants located in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington. 
• In Canada, we accept applicants located in the following provinces: Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other AI researchers on applied real-world problems to demonstrate algorithmic feasibility and enhance algorithmic capabilities.
• Design and implement prediction and control algorithms for complex, nonlinear, and dynamic physical systems governed by principles of thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
• Develop and maintain a benchmarking platform for algorithmic performance evaluation and experimental design.
• Clearly and efficiently report and present research findings and developments, both internally and externally, verbally and in writing.
• Participate in and organize ambitious collaborative research projects.
• Work with external collaborators and maintain relationships with relevant research labs and key individuals.
• Mentor and guide Research Engineers to apply research findings and developments to industrial domains.

Key Qualifications

• PhD in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, control systems, applied physics, or a related technical field, with demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Thermodynamics
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Dynamic system modeling and control
• Strong foundation in machine learning and software engineering, with proficiency in Python and open-source ML libraries such as Keras, TensorFlow, PyTorch, scipy, scikit-learn, numpy, pandas, and ray.
• 1+ years of applied research experience.
• Prior experience with research projects and contributions to open-source software.
• Alignment with our company values: curiosity, ownership, transparency & directness, outcome-based performance, and customer empathy.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Relevant experience to the position.
• A proven track record of publications.
• Experience applying AI to real-world scenarios.

Our Stack

• Python
• PyTorch, scipy
• Kubernetes, Docker, Ray
• GCP

Onboarding

In your first 30 days...

• You will be immersed in an onboarding program that introduces you to Phaidra and our product.
• You will spend time with the research team and get introduced to the different research tracks we pursue.
• You will learn how other teams operate, interact, and approach problems.
• You will read various parts of our handbook and familiarize yourself with the documentation culture at Phaidra.
• You will set up your development environment and get introduced to various parts of our codebase.

By your first 60 days...

• You will have a solid understanding of what Phaidra does and how we do it.
• You will have met with team members across Phaidra and started building relationships that will help you be successful in your role.
• You will have a good understanding of our research tracks, allowing you to form a plan for your first project or maybe even start one.

By your first 90 days...

• You will be fully integrated into the team and have strong relationships with team members across the company.
• You will have started to contribute to knowledge sharing throughout Phaidra.
• Your project will be in full swing, and you might have some early results already.

General Interview Process

All of our interviews are held via Google Meet, and an active camera connection is required.

1. Meeting with People Operations team member (30 minutes)
2. Initial Meeting with Hiring Manager (60 minutes)
3. Meeting with Research team member (60 minutes)
4. Meeting with ML Applications Engineering team member (60 minutes)
5. Culture fit interview with Phaidra’s co-founders (30 minutes)

Base Salary

• United States Residents
  • 160,000 USD - 180,208 USD
• Canada Residents
  • 120,935 CAD - 136,220 CAD
• UK Residents 
  • 95,867 GBP - 107,975 GBP

This position will also include equity.

These are best faith estimates of the base salary range for this position. Multiple factors such as experience, education, level, and location are taken into account when determining compensation.

Benefits & Perks

• Fast-paced, team-oriented environment where your work directly shapes the company’s direction.
• We are a 100% remote company. 
• Competitive compensation & meaningful equity.
• Outsized responsibilities & professional development.
• Training is foundational; functional, customer immersion, and development training.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (exact benefits vary by region).
• Unlimited paid time off, with a required minimum of 20 days per year.
• Paid parental leave (exact benefits vary by region).
• Flexible stipends to support your workspace, well-being, and continued professional development.
• Company MacBook.

Please note: Not all of Phaidra’s benefits and perks listed above apply to temporary employees such as interns.

On being Remote

We take a thoughtful and intentional approach to remote collaboration. Inspired by pioneers like GitLab, we embrace proven best practices to foster an exceptional remote work environment. Our culture is documentation-first, and we prioritize asynchronous communication to support focus and flexibility across time zones. While we value independence, we stay closely connected through tools like Slack and video conferencing. Weekly all-hands meetings help us align and build strong relationships, and we regularly host virtual team-building activities and social events to maintain a sense of camaraderie.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Phaidra is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Phaidra is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status. We welcome diversity and strive to maintain an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance with completing the application process, please contact us at hiring@phaidra.ai.

E-Verify Notice

Phaidra participates in E-Verify, an employment authorization database provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). As required by law, we will provide the SSA and, if necessary, the DHS, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization for those residing in the United States.

Additional information about E-Verify can be found here.

#LI-Remote

To be considered for any position at Phaidra, you must submit an online application. This role will remain open until it is filled.

Phaidra only hires individuals who are legally authorized to work in the specified location(s) above. We do not provide employment sponsorship. Candidates requiring visa sponsorship, either now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITERS.